India failing to protect free speech, religious freedom: Rushdie

Booker winner says Modi's ascent to the top will only mean a much more muffled creative expression

Author Salman Rushdie, who wrote Booker winner Midnight's Children, spoke at length about lack of creative freedom in India at the 10th annual PEN World Voices Festival in New York. He also spoke about the ongoing Lok Sabha elections and mentioned the pitfalls of electing Narendra Modi for the PM post.

 

While describing Modi as a 'hardliner's hardliner' he said his ascent to the top will only mean a much more muffled creative expression.

 

“If freedom of expression is under attack, if religious freedom is threatened and if substantial parts of society live in physical fear for their safety, then such a society cannot be said to be a true democracy,” Rushdie said. 

 

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